Only then did Jarrod turn around and look at the man. "Yes? What is it?"
Sylvie frowned and nced over as well.
What happened? Did something go wrong? With her?
The executive''s expression was conflicted, as if he''d tried and failed several times
to get the words out. Atst, he looked straight at Sylvie and spoke. "President Fielding, a while back... did you reallocate a portion of your bonus?"
The words seemed to echo in the room.
Sylvie''s face shifted instantly.
Elodie and Alexander both caught every word.
They shared a quick, sharp nce. A puzzle piece clicked into ce between them.
Alexander suddenly let out a lowugh. "Ms. Fielding, money''s that tighttely? Has Mr. Silverstein stopped giving you an allowance?"
Sylvie''s expression darkened further. She clenched her fists, unable to hide her anger.
Even across the room, Grady and Maurice were taken aback.
What''s going on?
Grady realized this was serious. He stepped in quickly. "Must be some mistake, right? If there''s an issue, shouldn''t you handle it privately? Why bring it up now?"
Jarrod was the first to recover. He nced at Sylvie before turning to the executive. "Are you sure about this?"
The man nodded. "We found a discrepancy during an audit..."
Sylvie, usuallyposed, couldn''t keep her face from changing.
She''d already dealt with this. Yes, she had temporarily withdrawn part of her personal bonus, but she''d put it back almost immediately. How could it be surfacing now?
"Jarrod..." Sylvie drew a deep breath and stepped forward. "I admit it, but I reced the funds on the third day. There are no tax issues involved."
Jarrod looked down at her, his tone calm and measured. "Alright. Let''s discuss thister."
He turned to Elodie and the others. "We need to resolve something internally. Did you drive here? I can have someone take you home."
Elodie understood-Jarrod wanted them gone so this could be handled behind closed doors.
She shot him a cold, mocking look and tugged on Alexander''s sleeve. "Alex, let''s go."
At least now they had this new piece of information about Sylvie.
Which meant...
Elodie''s mind was already working out her next move. The original n for today -she''d have to change it.
Alexander was on the same page. Neither lingered.
Jarrod quickly instructed staff to tidy up the area, making sure word didn''t spread. Most of the guests outside remained oblivious.
The staff kept things running smoothly, business as usual on the surface.
Jarrod led Sylvie upstairs.
Maurice and Grady kept their distance, not getting involved.
As they climbed the stairs, Sylvie''s heart pounded. Finally, she turned to Jarrod. “Jarrod, the bonus from Neural Intelligence is scheduled for release next week. I haven''t used the funds for anything illegal-they were only reallocated temporarily, and there''s a proper record. The art institute was pressing for payment, and I was short on cash. I didn''t want to bother you or make you worry, so..."
She''d thought it through at the time-reced the money quickly, with room to maneuver if questions arose. She''d even considered mortgaging her house, but after Lucinda''s threats, that backup n disappeared. She couldn''t risk it.
Faust''s pressure left her no choice. That''s how she''d ended up making this move.
But why did it have to be discovered today, of all days? And right in front of Elodie,
no less—a humiliation that stung in ways she couldn''t describe.
Jarrod looked down at her after a moment, his voice gentle, without a hint of anger. "It''s alright. The only major shareholders are us and your mother. Thepany just needs to finish the paperwork."
Sylvie finally let out a breath. She knew where the loopholes were.
She''d acted at just the right moment, reced the funds in time. She''d almost mortgaged her house, but Lucinda''s threats had cut off
that escape. She''d been backed into a corner by Faust''s demands.
There was nothing else she could have done.